It's exactly like it sounds.

[ And it creeps him out just as much. If it's beating, the rest of it has to be around somewhere, which doesn't leave a lot of room for interpretation if the Merchant is calling it leverage. ]

Kaneki tried asking around, but I don't think he ever found out. I've got a feeling its no one we ever want to run into, especially not if they find out we've been holding their heart hostage.